The Id (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside , England |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
The Id emerged as a new wave and synth-pop group originating from the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, England, established in 1977. They are primarily recognized for laying the groundwork for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), with members Andy McCluskey (vocals), Paul Humphreys (keyboards), and Malcolm Holmes (drums) later regrouping within OMD. Guitarist Gary Hodgson also rejoined as a keyboard technician.
Renowned DJ and journalist John Peel referred to OMD as a "developed" iteration of The Id; several tracks from The Id, such as "Electricity," were re-recorded by OMD.
Formation
The band was formed in September 1977. McCluskey and Humphreys, school friends with mutual admiration for pioneering electronic musicians like Brian Eno and Kraftwerk, had collaborated since 1975. Humphreys encountered Gary Hodgson and Steve Hollas (bass) during their electronics studies at Riversdale College, Liverpool.
Additional brief members included Julia Kneale (vocals), Neill Shenton (guitar), and John Floyd (vocals). The group frequently performed original compositions, predominantly penned by McCluskey and Humphreys, across the Merseyside region.
Recordings
In early 1978, The Id recorded the tracks "Electricity," "Julia's Song" (with lyrics by Kneale), and "The Misunderstanding" at Liverpool's Open Eye studio, under the guidance of Roger Eagle from Eric's Club. "Julia's Song" was featured on the 1979 compilation Street to Street: A Liverpool Album, released by Open Eye Records. By that time, The Id had dissolved; John Peel’s liner notes described The Id as having "developed" into OMD.
The group disbanded in August 1978. Following this, McCluskey briefly joined Dalek I Love You before departing to co-found OMD with Humphreys.
An EP containing all three recorded songs by The Id was issued by Engine Records in December 2002.
OMD versions
OMD debuted with a new version of "Electricity," released as their first single on Factory in 1979. This track was recorded once again for their self-titled debut album in February 1980 and reissued as a single, becoming one of their signature songs.
"Julia's Song" was included on the same album, featuring percussion by Malcolm Holmes. Holmes reunited with McCluskey and Humphreys in 1980 for touring and recording of their second album, Organisation, which incorporated an updated rendition of The Id’s "The Misunderstanding." Holmes subsequently became a full-time member of OMD.
For OMD’s debut Peel session in August 1979, "Julia's Song" was performed, while "The Misunderstanding" appeared in their third session in September 1980, closely resembling its version on Organisation.
Another composition originally co-written by John Floyd, "Radio Waves," was included on OMD’s 1983 album Dazzle Ships. In 1984, "Julia's Song" underwent a dramatic re-arrangement featuring a brass section as the B-side to OMD’s successful single "Talking Loud & Clear."
Gary Hodgson contributed as a keyboard technician during OMD’s live performances and later extended his expertise to Oasis.
The Id (2002) UK: Engine Records / ENG 001
- Contributors
- Andy McCluskey – lead vocals
- Gary Hodgson – guitar
- Paul Humphreys – keyboard instruments
- Steve Hollas – bass guitar
- Mal Holmes – drums
Compilation Contributions
- Street to Street: A Liverpool Album (1979)